Banks County hopes to name bridge for educator, volunteer

HOMER - The Banks County Commission has begun the process of naming the county's most notable bridge for one who gave of himself to the community.<br /> <br /> Tuesday night, commissioners voted to proceed with a resolution naming the U.S. Highway 441 bridge over Interstate 85 at Banks Crossing for longtime Banks and Jackson County educator Richard Chambers.<br /> <br /> "Richard Chambers was the epitome of a volunteer," said Banks County Commission Chairman Jimmy Hooper. "He'd clean roads, he'd cut cemeteries, he'd pick up trash and he would scold you if you didn't want to do it."<br /> <br /> Chambers was a science teacher in Commerce, then a school principal in Commerce, then the high school principal in Banks County.<br /> <br /> "He and I served side by side for over 20 years," Hooper said. <br /> <br /> "He just had a tradition of getting to his fellow man," Hooper said. "I can't think of a more deserving person."<br /> <br /> Volunteerism runs in Chambers' family, Hooper said.<br /> <br /> "His wife has logged there's no telling how many thousands of hours at the hospital as a volunteer in the flower shop and in the reception area," Hooper said. <br /> <br /> All commissioners spoke in favor of the naming resolution. Charles Turk made the motion and Sammy Reece seconded. It passed unanimously.<br /> <br /> Following the meeting, commissioners contacted Rep. Dan Gasaway to begin the process of legislative approval for the bridge naming.